DOH-7: Rabies-free 2015 is achievable

CEBU, Philippines - The key towards achieving rabies-free Visayas in 2015 is responsible pet ownership and proper implementation of the law, health officials stressed.

Department of Health-7 regional director, Dr. Jaime Bernadas, explained that this goal is “achievable” in this part of the country considering the archipelagic nature.

“It is easy to eliminate rabies because we are island provinces here, we can control the in and out of the animals,” he said.

DOH Central Visayas data showed that dog bite remained primary biting animal in 2013 reaching 42,912 of the total 50,755 recorded cases.

With this, four deaths were further recorded, lower than 11 fatalities in 2012.

All of the recorded deaths, DOH data added, did not avail of the treatment provided by any of the 42 Animal Bite and Treatment Centers (ABTC) in the region.

Rabies and TB Control Program Coordinator Jocelyn Tabotabo said that these ABTCs are located in district hospitals and health centers in Central Visayas.

Republic Act No. 9482 enacted May 25, 2007 otherwise known as Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, provides for the control and elimination of human and animal rabies prescribing penalties for violation thereof and appropriating funds.

The law required for the establishment of National Rabies Prevention and Control Program.

It further provides that government agencies involved in the implementation of this law and the program along with it include Department of Agriculture, DOH, Department of Education and the local government units.

RA 9482 enumerated the responsibilities of pet owner like regularly submitting their pet dogs to registration and free anti-rabies vaccination, making sure pets don’t roam around increasing risk of animal bites and reporting any dog bite incidents to nearest ABTC or local authorities.

It is unfortunate to note, Bernadas said, that despite the free vaccination program of the government, irresponsible pet owners ignore this privilege and only approach ABTCs on cases of animal bites.

Tabotabo said that health officials have yet to fully convince pet owners in the region to have their pets vaccinated to prevent rabies infection.

“There are many instances when we conduct mass vaccination owners will just tell us if you can get our dog then you can vaccinate them,” she said.

While both Tabotabo and Bernadas noted that rabies is 99 percent fatal, they both stressed that this is 100 percent preventable by heeding the law and giving immediate medical attention to the suspected patient. —/GMR (FREEMAN)